Create book lists. Balance the type of books between new books and older books. Choose different genres like nonfiction, poetry and fiction in various sub-genres, such as mystery and fantasy. Research book titles through bookstores, libraries and the Internet. Organize your book lists with word processing software or with software that collates book titles. Make a sign-up list for participants and have a few copies of the book available for borrowing. Have books related to the topic available to promote interest in the subject. Provide a list of similar titles to the chosen book for your audience.
Choose books that will fit your audience in subject interest and age level. The most receptive audiences for a book talk are for later primary grade children, teenagers and adults. Younger children benefit from storytelling, dramatic tools like puppets or skits and reading books aloud at circle time. Determine that your reading material matches the interests of your audience. Research demographics and choose books that have strong appeal like science fiction and fantasy.
Find an appropriate environment for the book talk. Choose an area that is quiet and away from foot traffic, like a conference room. Be sure that there is enough room and enough chairs for your audience. Give the date, time and directions to the meeting room so that you do not lose your audience.
Read the book that you choose before giving your presentation. Write outlines of what you think are the most important parts of the book. Highlight the passages or quotations in the book that you plan to read and bookmark the chapters or pages in which the quotations occur. Use snippets of the book to interest your readers but do not read spoilers, important plot elements or endings, to your audience. Choose a section that goes unresolved at the end of the chapter to interest the audience, so they will read the book. Practice your speech about the book and the book quotations either standing before a mirror or with a friend's critical support. Pronounce your words carefully and use intonation to add strength and personality to the words. Rehearse, if you can, in the area where you will be speaking, or have familiarity with the room layout.
Prepare and bring with you the notes, books, props and other equipment that you will need for the talk to the meeting room. Check to see that any audio-visual or computer equipment that you need is in place and is functional before you give the book talk. Take a deep breath and give your speech at a pace at which your audience can follow your words. Speak moderately loud with your rehearsed and careful pronunciation.